The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn

Let’s turn back the clock to Summer 2008. Somewhere in a beer garden in the heart of California suburbia, a peppy teenage girl approaches two far more seasoned lindy hoppers who are just settling in for some live tunes and a bit of a nosh.

Spongemonkey: You guys should really ask us to dance later. *walks away*
Chris and Inebriated Friend: I guess we should ask them to dance later…

And the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn play on…



So, Spongemonkey and I recently celebrated a very special double anniversary. It was the one year anniversary of seeing the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn live, and of meeting Chris. Actually remembering when I first met a fellow lindy hopper in the local scene is surprisingly rare. Swing friendships are usually characterized by weeks (even months) of an awkward “awareness” of each others existence. Then suddenly everything is chummy and you no longer scurry away when you are done dancing with the person.

I literally met/danced with Chris at Swing Central when the Vipers were performing there in the Summer of 2008. Spongie, Chris and I were the only lindy hoppers to follow the Vipers from that venue to the next. At the new venue, I recognized Chris’s baby face (and he recognized my grumpy one). And because this anniversary is SO very special, the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn decided to come all the way from New York just to celebrate…except I had really just forgotten about all of this until I saw on the Midtown Stomp website that the Vipers were going on a west coast tour…again…hopefully it will be an annual one.

As a lindy hopper who has yet to see the likes of the Loose Marbles or the Boilermaker Jazz Band live, I can firmly say that the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are my absolute favorite live band. Billy’s vocals have a comfortable sense of humor about them and are always accessible. David’s washboard percussion manages to be both silly and intricate. Add in tight harmonies, and it really does not get any better.

Just like last time, I got to see the band twice. They rocked out the dance closet that is Cat’s Corner and kept the massive ballroom at Midtown Stomp swinging. Overall, I had a far better time at Cat’s. Despite the lack of room, I felt like the floor was faster and more intimate. The Vipers oscillated between blazing and bluesy. By the end of it all, I was super gross, super tired, and super happy. Even our busted Big Apple attempt (the song was crazy fast) could not get me down.



By the time that Midtown Stomp rolled around, I was pretty exhausted. Sadly, I did not take full advantage of the Viper’s presence. Not to knock Midtown Stomp or anything, but I think it is a harder venue for an intermediate lindy hopper (like myself) to access. There are a handful of REALLY fantastic people that change partners with each other like a hoedown. The rest of the room is filled with tons of beginners. Either you have to resign yourself to sitting (which I did because I was lame and tired), dancing with lots of uncomfortable beginners (which is OK, but not for the whole night), or stalking the really good dancers (yuck). Luckily Chris and Ryan were there, but I was too moody to properly appreciate them. Plus, there were plenty of decent follows, and I didn’t want to monopolize their time. It didn’t help that the Vipers decided to make a foray into the country part of their repertoire. The night was not a bust though. I got to dance with Mikey Pedroza to Georgia On My Mind. It was pretty sweet.


Go Forth and be Merry!!!